20.01.2026 Launch of the Kattenburg 2026 Competition
The fifth edition of the Kattenburg Singing Competition will take place in Lausanne from 19 September to 16 October 2026.
The competition is open to Master's degree students and graduates who have obtained a Master's degree in singing at a Swiss music academy between June 2023 and June 2026, regardless of gender or nationality.
The final, which will be held on 16 October at the Opéra de Lausanne, will see the six finalists perform in front of a live orchestra conducted by Jean-Marie Zeitouni.
The competition will award five special prizes and four official prizes to the winners, including a first prize of CHF25'000.
Registration opens: 1 March 2026
Registration deadline: 1 May 2026
Please consult the calendar for the 2026 edition of the Kattenburg Competition.
23.10.2024 Fanny Utiger: 1st Prize of the Kattenburg Competition 2024
At the end of a high-level final at the Opéra de Lausanne on 23 October 2024, Fanny Utiger stood out among the classical singing talents in competition, winning the 1st Prize of the Kattenburg Competition 2024, worth CHF 30,000. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in singing from HEMU and currently studying for a Master’s degree, the Lausanne soprano won over the jury with her performances.
The 2nd and 3rd Prizes were awarded to Vibe Rouvet (CHF 15,000) and Naïma Wanshe (CHF 10,000).
Throughout the various rounds of this edition, many candidates received special prizes, reflecting the diversity and quality of their performances.
Ludmila Schwartzwalder received the HEMU Prize, while Faustine Egiziano received the Young Audience Prize. During the Final, Faustine Egiziano also won the Audience Prize, awarded by spectators and RTS Espace 2 listeners, with a CHF 1,000 endowment. Fiona Fauchois excelled in the contemporary repertoire, winning the Best Contemporary Interpretation Prize during the semi-finals. In addition to the 1st Prize, Fanny Utiger was also distinguished by the Orchestre Symphonique Universitaire de Lausanne (OSUL). Finally, Romain Favre was recognised as the best Swiss candidate across the whole competition.
14.10.2022 Leonardo Sánchez Rosales, winner of the 2022 Competition
At the end of the Final, the voice of Leonardo Sánchez Rosales prevailed among the classical singing talents in competition. Holding a soloist Master’s degree from HEMU, he was awarded the 1st Prize (CHF 30,000) as well as the Young Audience Prize (CHF 1,000).
The 2nd and 3rd Prizes were awarded to the French bass Louis Morvan (CHF 15,000) and the Swiss baritone Joël Terrin (CHF 10,000).
Spectators and RTS Espace 2 listeners acclaimed Joël Terrin’s performance for the Audience Prize (CHF 1,000).
Joël Terrin also received the Best Contemporary Interpretation Prize (CHF 1,000) and the Best Swiss Candidate Prize awarded across the whole competition (CHF 1,000), as well as the HEMU Prize.
18.10.2019 Laurène Paternò wins 1st Prize of the 2019 Competition
At the end of the Final, Laurène Paternò’s voice prevailed among the classical singing talents in competition. Holding a Master’s degree in Musical Performance from HEMU, she was awarded the 1st Prize (CHF 30,000) as well as the HEMU Prize.
The 2nd and 3rd Prizes were awarded to the Swiss baritone Joël Terrin (CHF 15,000) and the French tenor Jean Miannay (CHF 10,000).
Spectators and listeners acclaimed Joël Terrin’s performance for the Audience Prize (CHF 1,000).
Julia Deit-Ferrand also received the Best Contemporary Interpretation Prize (CHF 1,000) as well as the Young Audience Prize (CHF 1,000).
The Best Swiss Candidate Prize was awarded, across the whole competition, to the baritone Joël Terrin (CHF 1,000).
05.10.2017 Marina Viotti wins 1st Prize of the 2017 Competition
At the end of the Kattenburg Competition Final, held for the first time on 5 October 2017 at the Opéra de Lausanne, the Swiss mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti clearly stood out among the rising stars of classical singing. Holding a soloist Master’s degree from the l'HEMU – Haute École de Musique, Marina Viotti was awarded the 1st Prize (CHF 30,000).
In the Final, the five finalists performed two opera arias from different periods, accompanied by the HEMU Orchestra conducted by the American conductor John Fiore. The 2nd and 3rd Prizes were awarded to the Belgian-Indian soprano Turiya Haudenhuyse (CHF 20,000) and the French soprano Laurène Paternò (CHF 5,000).
During the ceremony, five additional special prizes were awarded:
As part of the Final
“Audience Prize” – Marina Viotti
“HEMU Prize” – Hélène Walter
As part of the semi-finals
“Young Audience Prize” – Cécile Houillon
“Best Contemporary Interpretation Prize” – Hélène Walter
Across the whole competition
“Best Swiss Candidate Prize” – Marina Viotti